THE FINAL PIECE IN THE JIGSAW...........

It couldn't be more apt to announce the identity of the last man on the memorial on this St Patrick's Day Eve...........

J RUSH -

Incorrectly inscribed on the memorial should be J RUSHE.

Private John Rushe 18015 was born around 1881 at Glenamaddy, Co Galway, Ireland.  He enlisted in Chesterfield and served with the Sherwood Foresters 9th Battalion.  John lost his life at Gallipoli on 10th August 1915. 

John was awarded the British, Victory and 15 Star and his memorial is at Helles in Turkey.

His connection to New Whittington ...........

1911 census John Rushe - 85 South Street, New Whittington

At the time of the 1911 census John was aged 30 years old and working as a miner.  He is living 85 South Street, New Whittington lodging with George and Emma Cartledge and their family. 

The 1901 Census for Ireland shows a John Rushe aged 16 years old  (born c.1885) living in Ballyhard, Glenamaddy, Co Galway.  He is the son of Mary Rushe, who is recorded as married but no husband is given at the time.  John has two sisters; Katherine and Bridget and a brother named Thomas.

Ireland WW1 Casualties Memorial List

John is listed on the Ireland, Casualties of War 1 1914 - 1918 Memorial list - his age does not tally with his age on either the 1901 or the 1911 census.

Thank you to Wendy Pockson for identifying John Rushe.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Glenamaddy/Ballyhard/1380388/

MORE NAMES UNCOVERED ...........

In my last blog post I left 8 names which I had not identified -

BOOTH G
COX ART
FREEMAN A
LEESON J P
RUSH J
SAVAGE W
STRAW J A
TOLLEY W H

After further research and some helpful input from fellow researcher Wendy Pockson I can now update the list.

BOOTH G

Incorrectly scribed on the memorial - Ernest Booth was the son of J Booth of 141 High Street, New Whittington. 

Ernest served with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters; Private 10821.

Ernest is buried in St Bartholomew's Churchyard, Whittington.  He died on 15th May 1915.

Grave of Ernest Booth, St Bartholomew's Churchyard

COX ART

Possibly Arthur Cox a Corporal with the Royal Field Artillery; 80216.

This Arthur died on 18th December 1917.

I need to do more research to confirm this is the correct soldier named on the St Barnabas Memorial.

FREEMAN A

Amos Briscoe Freeman lived at 69 South Street, New Whittington when he enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters; Private 32292.

He was killed in action on 10th April 1918 whilst serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers; Private 45770.

Amos left a wife Barbara Taylor Freeman living at 52 Manor Road, Brimington Common, Chesterfield.


LEESON J P

John Patrick Leeson was killed in action on 31st July 1917.

He was serving with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters; Private 22398.


RUSH J

J Rush is still evading clarification.  There was a Thomas and Ellen Rush living on Handley Road in New Whittington.  Thomas was a grocer.  It may well be that he was a family member and so I will look more into this family in the hope that I can positively identify J Rush.


SAVAGE W

I believe "W" Savage is actually Abraham Longton Savage. 

Born around 1894 he was the son of Abraham and Emma Savage and the family lived at 3 Chapel Street, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield on the 1911 census.

Abraham was killed in action on 17th January 1916.  He was serving with the 1/6th Sherwood Foresters; Private 2651.


STRAW J A

John Edward Straw served with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles); Private 241977.

John is buried in St Bartholomew's Churchyard, Whittington.

He died on 12th December 1918 aged 42 years old.

His name is incorrectly scribed as J A on the memorial.

Grave of J E Straw, St Bartholomew's Churchyard

TOLLEY W H

William Henry Tolley was serving with the Prince Of Wales Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) 1/5th Battalion. 

He was Lance Corporal 202916 and was killed on 3rd April 1918.

He is mentioned in the Derbyshire Times on 4th May 1918.

To be continued......